RCMP Finally Respond to Lawsuit Filed by Gidimt’en Members in June, Amnesty International Issues Statement in Support for Land Defenders

Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth has finally responded to a lawsuit filed against the RCMP by the Gidimt’en Clan in June.

In the civil suit, the members assert that they have been the victims of months of targeted harassment along the Coastal GasLink Pipeline route.

CGL and their private contractor Forsythe Security, are also named in the suit, which centres around confrontations at the Gidimt’en Checkpoint and Lamprey Creek Village.

Plaintiffs say they have been victims of threats, property damage, assaults, and unlawful arrests as part of a coordinated effort by the trio.

But, in his response, Farnworth says that officers were acting reasonably, and in accordance with a court-ordered injunction covering the area.

He says a February incident which damaged millions of dollars of equipment was adequate grounds for the increased enforcement efforts.

According to RCMP, that incident saw roughly 20 masked-individuals attack the site, some armed with axes, though no related arrests have been made since.

CGL and Forsythe have previously responded, also denying the allegations.

Gidimt’en members have long supported the Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs in their fight to have the project shut down.

While it has obtained consent of many Elected Bands along the route, the Hereditary Chiefs say jurisdiction over the unceded territories lies solely with them.

Last week, Amnesty International issued a statement supporting the legal action, and demanding CGL and Canada withdraw policing and security services.

They also chastised Canada’s continual flaunting of calls from the UN’s Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination halt construction until free, prior, and informed consent was obtained.